Time for talk is over for Tigers as opening night, Louisiana-Monroe arrives

Coach Nick Saban will get the answers to some of his questions tonight when the Tigers open their season against Louisiana-Monroe at Tiger Stadium.

By DAVE MOORMANN Courier Correspondent

Published: Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, August 29, 2003 at 11:00 p.m.

BATON ROUGE -- It was a forum designed for the media to ask questions of LSU's Nick Saban, but the fourth-year football coach had some queries of his own at his first press luncheon of the season Monday.

"The big question that everybody has ... is what kind of football team do we really have?" Saban said in his address on the fifth floor of the athletic administration building.

In answering himself, Saban said "character and competitive attitude" have more to do with defining the Tigers' identity than does talent. LSU opens its season at 7 p.m. today against Louisiana-Monroe in Tiger Stadium.

"How important it is to you, and what you are willing to do to do your job?" he added.

That very question was later posed to several players.

"I think what everybody needs to do each game is to work hard, and the results will take care of themselves," said junior quarterback Matt Mauck, who will make his first appearance since injuring his right foot against Florida in the sixth game last year.

Saban praised Mauck for his tireless devotion to rehabilitation that allowed Mauck not only to return for spring practice, but also to play well. Given Mauck's natural leadership ability, others have adopted his acute work ethic.

"There has to be a lot of excitement," said senior left defensive tackle Bryce Wyatt, who is scheduled to make his second career start. "We've got to get around the ball. As a defense, we have to play together."

Keeping the defense properly aligned will be his responsibility, said junior middle linebacker Lionel Turner, who called himself "the quarterback of the defense."

Following in the tradition of Trev Faulk and Bradie James, Turner said his "role now is to continue the great legacy."

Just as Mauck is considered a team leader, senior right offensive tackle Rodney Reed said it's up to him to set the standard for those around him.

Not only was Reed an Academic All-American last year, but his physical prowess has allowed him to start 34 consecutive games on the offensive line.

"I want to affect somebody every day," said Reed, who is on pace to receive a master's degree in accounting in May. Because that feeling is shared by so many others, Reed said, "This is the best chemistry I've been around since I've been here."

He's not alone in that belief.

"I've been encouraged by the way this team has come together," Saban said.

"Everybody knows what they're supposed to do," Turner said. "If everyone does their part, and accepts responsibility, we could be unstoppable."

"I think potential is the big thing," Mauck said. "We have a lot of potential offensively. Whether we can execute is the big thing."

And therein lies another question that Saban posed.

"What kind of chemistry are we going to have, and what type of togetherness is the team going to have?" he said. "These are the kinds of questions you ask yourself as a coach. I am with these guys everyday in meetings and on the field practicing with them, but some of these questions you never really found out until you find out under fire, so to speak."

LSU's first test will come against a team it's never met on the football field. Still, there is no question that the Tigers will be heavily favored for when they begin to provide some answers.

INJURY REPORT

Out for the opener, Saban said, are offensive guard Terrell McGill, and wide receivers Amp Hill and Craig Davis.

<p>BATON ROUGE -- It was a forum designed for the media to ask questions of LSU's Nick Saban, but the fourth-year football coach had some queries of his own at his first press luncheon of the season Monday.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>"The big question that everybody has ... is what kind of football team do we really have?" Saban said in his address on the fifth floor of the athletic administration building.</p><p>In answering himself, Saban said "character and competitive attitude" have more to do with defining the Tigers' identity than does talent. LSU opens its season at 7 p.m. today against Louisiana-Monroe in Tiger Stadium.</p><p>"How important it is to you, and what you are willing to do to do your job?" he added.</p><p>That very question was later posed to several players.</p><p>"I think what everybody needs to do each game is to work hard, and the results will take care of themselves," said junior quarterback Matt Mauck, who will make his first appearance since injuring his right foot against Florida in the sixth game last year.</p><p>Saban praised Mauck for his tireless devotion to rehabilitation that allowed Mauck not only to return for spring practice, but also to play well. Given Mauck's natural leadership ability, others have adopted his acute work ethic.</p><p>"There has to be a lot of excitement," said senior left defensive tackle Bryce Wyatt, who is scheduled to make his second career start. "We've got to get around the ball. As a defense, we have to play together."</p><p>Keeping the defense properly aligned will be his responsibility, said junior middle linebacker Lionel Turner, who called himself "the quarterback of the defense."</p><p>Following in the tradition of Trev Faulk and Bradie James, Turner said his "role now is to continue the great legacy."</p><p>Just as Mauck is considered a team leader, senior right offensive tackle Rodney Reed said it's up to him to set the standard for those around him.</p><p>Not only was Reed an Academic All-American last year, but his physical prowess has allowed him to start 34 consecutive games on the offensive line.</p><p>"I want to affect somebody every day," said Reed, who is on pace to receive a master's degree in accounting in May. Because that feeling is shared by so many others, Reed said, "This is the best chemistry I've been around since I've been here."</p><p>He's not alone in that belief.</p><p>"I've been encouraged by the way this team has come together," Saban said.</p><p>"Everybody knows what they're supposed to do," Turner said. "If everyone does their part, and accepts responsibility, we could be unstoppable."</p><p>"I think potential is the big thing," Mauck said. "We have a lot of potential offensively. Whether we can execute is the big thing."</p><p>And therein lies another question that Saban posed.</p><p>"What kind of chemistry are we going to have, and what type of togetherness is the team going to have?" he said. "These are the kinds of questions you ask yourself as a coach. I am with these guys everyday in meetings and on the field practicing with them, but some of these questions you never really found out until you find out under fire, so to speak."</p><p>LSU's first test will come against a team it's never met on the football field. Still, there is no question that the Tigers will be heavily favored for when they begin to provide some answers.</p><h3>INJURY REPORT</h3>
<p>Out for the opener, Saban said, are offensive guard Terrell McGill, and wide receivers Amp Hill and Craig Davis.</p>